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10 Aug 2012

Protection of Traditional Languages of Minorities

The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) under the Ministry of Human Resource Development undertakes programmes for the promotion of all Indian languages including 20 of the 22 scheduled languages and other non –scheduled languages (which as per 2001 Census are 100 in number with 141 mother tongues, each spoken by at least 10,000 people). Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, Shri Vincent H. Pala, Minister of State for Minority Affairs, said that the CIIL does not release funds to any State for the development of languages. However, the institute spends from its own budget granted by the Government of India for protection and development of languages of minorities and minor groups. The programmes for protection and development of languages of minorities which include Jenu Kuruba, Soliga, Kodava, Tulu, Urdu, Saurastri, Pali, Prakrit & Sanskrit will continue in the current Five Year Plan.